foreseeable
Americanadjective
-
as far as can be seen.
Our objective is to make travel around the city quick, easy, and trouble-free for the foreseeable future.
-
able to be known or seen in advance.
A key finding was that the fire was foreseeable, and both the mine owner and the regulatory agencies could have prevented it from occurring.
Usage
What does foreseeable mean? If something is foreseeable, it means it can be predicted or identified in advance. Foreseeable is the adjective form of the verb foresee, which means to see or know beforehand. Foreseeable is often used in the phrase the foreseeable future, referring to the span of time in the near future about which reasonable assumptions can be made. Example: Unfortunately, due to the road closure we’ll be taking the detour for the foreseeable future.
Other Word Forms
- foreseeability noun
- unforeseeable adjective
- unforeseeableness noun
- unforeseeably adverb
Etymology
Origin of foreseeable
Explanation
If you know something’s coming, it’s foreseeable. Foreseeable things can be predicted or guessed ahead of time. If there’s no money for you in the foreseeable future, you better get a job. The adjective foreseeable most often turns up in the phrase "the foreseeable future," which basically means "as far in the future as I can predict." The meaning is in the word – it’s the “before” you’re “able” to “see.” You might be so mad at your sister that you tell her you won't drive her to school for the foreseeable future — in other words, you can't, at this point, imagine a time when you'll be willing to give her a ride.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“I have to put a pause on podcasting right now for the foreseeable future,” she said.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2026
And that, in turn, means elevated oil and gas prices for the foreseeable future.
From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026
For drivers, there are factors beyond the Middle East that will keep gas prices higher for the foreseeable future.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 8, 2026
But auditors might still have to wear someone else’s clothes on-site for the foreseeable future.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026
Using the notches carved into the stone between each bunk, I climbed up and into what was apparently my new bed for the foreseeable future.
From "Glitch" by Laura Martin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
